Importance of Ethics in the Importance of Ethics in the WorkplaceWorkplace

Gary EastesRisk Manager

City of Knoxville

Ethics are connected to “Growing Ethics are connected to “Growing Up”Up”

We are born with many instincts/human traits that are necessary and appropriate as infants.

Society expects / demands that we learn to control these as we grow up.

Not controlling them can cause improper or unethical or illegal behavior.

Unethical is sometimes an opinion, but can quickly become a matter of law.

Everyone is InsecureEveryone is Insecure

Insecurity is an instinct necessary to survival in all advanced lifeforms.

Our insecurities warn us of the dangers in the world.

Our insecurities also warn us of our own limitations.

Recognizing insecurities helps us understand our own behavior.

Recognizing insecurities also helps us understand the behavior of others.

Insecurity Begins as a PositiveInsecurity Begins as a Positive

When we are in control of our insecurities, they help us survive and be successful.

When our insecurities control us, they can be a hindrance up to disastrous: witch trials, red scare, concentration camps

There are two ways to be controlled by our insecurities: be overwhelmed by them or pretend they do not exist

Human DifferencesHuman Differences

There are numerous methods human beings use to control our insecurities, and we each have our own unique styles.

Fight or flightConfidence, embracing them (Todd

Helton)Ego, hiding themRationalization, changing the perspective

ConfidenceConfidence

What is confidence?Not being afraid of failure….Determination….Fake confidence

Ego Begins as PositiveEgo Begins as Positive

When we control our ego, it can help us survive and be successful (Pat Summit)

When our ego controls us, it can be very disastrous

There are two ways ego can control us: overwhelm us or if we pretend it is something else

An ego is not confidence, nor is it pride, it is a byproduct of insecurity

Self-righteousness is a byproduct of ego

Rationalization Begins as a Rationalization Begins as a PositivePositive

Controlling our rationalizations can help us survive and be successful. (Glass half full or half empty?)

Being controlled by our rationalizations can be a hindrance up to disastrous.

There are two ways to be controlled by our rationalizations: be overwhelmed by them or pretend they are not rationalizations, but reality.

LeadershipLeadership

Leadership is only about communication of a system of values.

People follow a leader because values define purpose, and people want purpose.

Unfortunately, the values do not have to be good values to be a leader.

Organizations were created for the benefit of people, not people for the benefit of organizations.

What does all this have to do What does all this have to do with Ethics?with Ethics?

Our employees would never do that!I know when other people do this it is

considered unethical, but I’m doing it for the right reasons.

I/mine deserve something extra.It doesn’t harm anyone.They can afford it.Nobody will know.

95% of people will steal if 95% of people will steal if there is no possibility there is no possibility they will get caught.they will get caught.

Rationalizations are shaped by Rationalizations are shaped by the values being the values being communicatedcommunicated

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

We don’t need anyone outside sticking their nose in our business.

Rules are made to be bent (broken).Our supervisors need the authority to decide

when it is not necessary to follow the rules. (I know what is safe and what is not safe.)

It is better to cover up mistakes because acknowledging them makes the organization look bad.

Any Good Idea Can be Taken Any Good Idea Can be Taken Too FarToo Far

Another trait of human beings is the tendency to emphasize our strengths to the point that they become weaknesses.

What I’m good at/what is good about me is what is most important, so I need to cooperate with/hire people like me.

Any good idea can be Any good idea can be taken too fartaken too far

A good supervisor supports their employees./You hire good people and let them do their job. (Delegating should never give away responsibility.)

People are essentially good.People are always self-serving.It is easier to catch flies with sugar than

with salt.

A Little PreventionA Little Prevention

Assuming your employees (any employees) would never do anything wrong is irrational.

Little wrongs that are too easy lead to bigger wrongs.

The best route is often not trying to make unethical behavior impossible, but providing visible evidence that getting caught is possible.

Embarrassment is often the most effective punishment.